A New Year fast approaches ...

Well, we are coming up on another year.  I seldom set actual goals anymore, or pick a special word to focus on for the coming year or even make a quiet promise known only to me to change something about my life.  Doing any of that dooms my efforts with lightening speed every single time.  I fall off the wagon before it even starts to roll away.

But the New Year does feel like a fresh beginning.  Like opening a new notebook of blank paper ready to write or draw or a breath of fresh air upon leaving a stuffy enclosure.  I am not sure why that is since the “new year” is really a human construct.  No other living thing follows that structure. Plants have long since gone dormant. Hibernating animals have already hunkered down.  Even the season of winter began about a week ago. If Mother Nature was asked when a new year begins, I bet she would announce loudly and with authority - “Pay attention, little humans to all my other living creations.  Spring is the obvious beginning!"

Like previous years, I have nothing new planned for myself except to continue with the same practices I have already built into my life.

• Exercise to keep my legs strong enough to last through my aging years. 
• Reduce the unnecessary in my life so that I leave less behind when I am gone.
• Stay as independent as possible for myself and my spouse, so we are not a burden to our children.
• Enjoy my life and hobbies so living is more pleasant. 

Not one new thing on this list.  

Privately, however, there is one desire, one which I have very little control over and one in which the odds are against me, I fear.  I’d like to take a break from any new medical issues during 2025 - and just improve our current health “play list."  It is a small thing to ask, and at the same time, may be a very LARGE ask at 77.  Regardless, that quiet thought is tucked away in my soul.  I think we need that breather!  Just one year of infrequent doctor appointments because we have become a bit boring in the eyes of medical professionals.

Here's to being boring in 2025! 

(ok, maybe have do have a new goal for this year. 😂😂.)

So what is the New Year to you?

Shot Gun Approach

So I have slipped on blogging updates.  This season has turned out to be busier than I thought, or maybe I am slower than I thought.  Probably a bit of both but mostly “me” is the problem if I am being totally honest.  So here is an “shot gun” update on a number of things.

Christmas

I don’t seem to have the energy for all the “holiday trimmings” this year.  The tree is up (but not without a little drama - a missing tree stand that had to be replaced.). 

The packages are wrapped (finally) but also not without more drama (I forget that my wrapping supplies were low so I shopped on the 22nd - waiting in line for 35 minutes to pay for $13.00 worth of paper and name tags, only to discover on arriving home that I also needed more ribbon. So this year ... minimal ribbon the gifts.). A chunk of pre-Christmas time was devoted to supporting my daughter and my grand dog during his recent serious illness (corneal ulcers on both eyes resulting in graft surgery to correct the problem - the latest in a long list of health problems he has had.). But he is on the mend and hopefully we can get the rest of the way to Christmas without any further drama.  Christmas Eve is our family dinner and gift opening time at my condo.  I am hoping all our hurdles are behind us now.  (Remember, for long time readers - my “history” with Christmas is sketchy - filled with sad or negative experiences - so if your wondering why my update on this holiday seems less than cherry - it is because I bump up against “reality” quite frequently in December, and I have learned to expect problems.)

Husband Update

My husband is doing well after 2 blood transfusion to bump his abnormal blood work out of the “critical” stage.  He is still not normal but it will take further healing time for his body to correct what the chemo and radiation did. Despite how well he did during treatment - the treatment did finally catch up with him for about 2-3 weeks after it ended - leaving him feeling pretty miserable. Now we just have to get a clean PET scan - scheduled for the end of December.  I am trying not to expect my normal “Christmas reality” to color my husband’s PET scan results.  

Aja Update

It’s been awhile since I gave an update on our orange lady - Aja.  Yes, she is still motoring along.  We figure she is 7 or 8 by now. I thought I would include a picture.  While she does come out of the bedroom several times a day and visits my lap almost as many times, she hardly ever lingers.  But sometime she does settle in like in this picture - taking in some rays of sun.    

Recently I noticed she came out of the bedroom and cleaned herself.  In the last four years I have NEVER seen her clean herself - and for cats that is a function they do daily.  She always looks great - well groomed - so I know she does that.  The fact she came out and did that in “public” now is a big deal for her.  A level of comfort she has finally reached.

Despite all her little eccentrities - we love her dearly.  

Knitting Update

I am happy to report that I am actively knitting every day once again.  My focus has changed from what I do normally. I purchased a number of patterns that will suit other yarns that are from “deep stash.”   I am committed to using yarn that has been with me for more than a decade - and that I love, love, love.  Attached is a picture of one such yarn -  Plymouth Select Worsted Merino Superwash Kettle Dyed.  It is a lovely sandy color that reminds me of sand - and I purchased this yarn at a shop at Ocean City Maryland.  It was a fun weekend with family.  It wasn’t the most expensive yarn I ever purchased but it is filled with wonderful memories.  And this fall I found a wonderful pattern by Erin Johnson called Set Sail Shawl. It is a simple rectangular shawl that will be perfect to drape over my shoulders this winter.

I love the sandy look and variation of shades that you would find in shore sand.  Yes, there are beads at each end of the shawl - glass beads purchased at the same time.
I have had this yarn for more than 15 years and it was never assigned to a pattern.  So
glad to be using this yarn finally.

I have also identified 2 perfect patterns to do in my most favorite yarn ever - Waterlily - which hasn’t been available for more than a decade. 

All yarn with a long history with me.

Knee Update

*Sigh* Although I finished my PT, and I am doing my leg exercises 4-5 times a week (not every day ... per PT - "don’t overdo it or you can re-injury yourself"), and despite the facts I take the Extra Strength Long Acting Tylenol, I use Voltaren periodically, and I walk with a cane at times to reduce weight-baring on that knee when it hurts ... I am still icing it at times.

I am beginning to wonder (and probably accept) the fact that this may never be better than it is right now.  I am coming to the conclusion that some things just can’t be fixed to “like-new” status at my age.  I am pretty hard headed and it takes a lot for me to say “uncle.”  Now they did suggest a full knee replacement.  Presently the answer is no to that “cure"!  I guess I can’t rule it out entirely - as I might walk with a cane now, but I will not be full time on a walker or wheelchair if I can help it.  I am going to schedule another knee injection in the future and continue to push leg strengthening.   

For now that is about it. 

I sincerely wish all of you a wonderful holiday.  

And I am personally hoping that 2025 is better for all of us.

See you again in 2025!